The Other Side of the Li River

Yes, the Li River is my favourite spot in China, but there is a whole different reality to its mystical attraction. There is real life and people who try to provide for their families on a daily basis. Trust me, that bit doesn’t look romantic at all.

The village, that our local guide described as neither rich nor poor, seemed to me extremely poor. It’s something completely opposite to the shiny business districts of Shanghai, Beijing, Hong Kong … Life over there looks like a struggle and hardship. We saw people who live in houses without windows and doors, houses made of clay and some others that look more like ruins than the spaces where people live. On the other hand, I suppose these people are lucky to live in the area popular with tourists, who spend money that definitely helps the local economy.